Is it possible to buy a reliable used car for $2,000?

rivitor

If so, what are some brands/models that I should look for? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Answer
It's possible to get a reliable car for free, but barring that, for $500 you can certainly get one, if you ARE NOT IGNORANT of how to own a car.

The problem is not the cars. The problems with the economics is the ignorance.

Years ago, I gave a 1981 oldsmobile to the Salvation army. I bought it for $500 and drove it 50,000 miles. It probably would have lasted 100,000 more miles. A have a friend who has a Buick-powered 1990-ish Bonneville (Le Sabre is the same thing) with 300,000 miles on it. Those cars don't require any repairs, ever.

The key here is what? Anybody see the key behavior?

The key is to buy the car with 250,000 on it and drive it that last 50,000 miles, then crush it. Got any idea what this car costs with 250,000 miles on it? Free, probably. At the crusher, they'll pay you about $200.

You won't get advice like that from people on the internet. They'll tell you to borrow $10,000 and buy a low-mileage Toyota. Knock yourself out. The banking industry is in trouble, so they need you.

Here are some issues with the above answers:
1. Avoid police auctions. The criminal class pretty much lives like animals. If you don't think so, a police auction could convince you. The cars aren't cheap enough, and they're not in good condition. Forget it.
2. Car salesmen need your money to buy groceries. They need your money to put their kids through college. They need your money to pay the electric bill. So if you want to pay for a car, avoid them. If you want to pay for a car, plus put somebody else's kids through college, and pay their light bill and buy them some groceries, then you should visit a car lot. On a car lot, a $500 car will cost $2995. It's not hard to see why. College tuition is expensive. So don't be stupid about this.
3. Read N and Splinky's answers out loud - can you hear that sound? That's the sound of NOT IGNORANT. Listen to them.

Best car toys for long trip for almost 2 year old boy?

fuzzlenose

We are driving 21+ hours in the car over 3 days one way and then back again about 2 weeks later.
My son will be 2 in early April. He likes cars, trains, blocks and anything that will keep his interest. My van does have a movie player, but I don't want that to be on all the time. Also snacks here and there will help pass the time.

So far I will be bringing some favorite books, some 'new' ones from the thrift store, a few new matchbox cars, and a cheap $1 electric racing game because he loves pushing buttons. Any other ideas? His sister (4 1/2) will have coloring books and a few crayons, books, 1 barbie, letter workbooks and maybe a color wonder or something. I really want what they do to be clean and easy to pick up. Any extra ideas for her? Oooh, maybe a yarn sewing thing or something...

Answer
You can make your own sewing cards. Get a long pretty shoelace that still has its plastic tip or get some yarn and put glue or tape on the end to make a tip. Punch holes in old greeting cards or glue magazine pictures to cardboard and punch holes in that. If you draw, you can draw your own pictures and let the kids color them before "sewing" them.

Something like a kids' abacus is fun for young ones to play with. They like lining things up and moving them around. Many stores sell things like that.

If you can get a smallish "beads on wires" toy, your son might enjoy it very much. Basically, the toy is self-contained and the child moves colorful beads around on oddly-shaped wires. Even though it is beads, boys like playing with those.

Magnetic doodle boards (Magna-Doodle is the name brand, but smaller ones are often sold in dollar stores) are also good for trips.

Ooops, I almost forgot my parents' best trick for traveling with kids. We generally got a hot dinner at a restaurant, but always did a picnic lunch at a park. The parents relaxed while the kids ran around.

Be sure to save at least one toy as "new" for the ride home.

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What are the solutions to our mounting energy crisis?

kids electric cars cheap image

Diggy

We all know gas prices are high. I think they will only get higher, save some dips in the off-season. The issue is all the energy we use, not just our cars. Some say alternative fuels. Is it possible to simply switch over to ethenol? No. Should we be thinking about the way we live, our infrastructure, public transportation, how far and often we drive?

The cost of heating and cooling our homes will also continue to rise. Is there significant wind and solar technologies as an alternative? Nuclear, coal, hydro? What do you think?

Answer
The problem isn't our ability to produce energy--the technology is there. Nor is switching our cars to alternative energy a problem--although ethanol is not the solution--electric cars are.

The usual immediate answer is that electric cars aren't practical. In point of fact they are--and we could have been producing them for decades; the first workable electric cars were around 100 years ago (NO, I'M NOT KIDDING)

So where are they? That brings us to the real problem: special interests. We do not have alternative enrgies--we are dependant on foreign oil--for the simple reason that special intersests--mostly the fossil fuel industry--have actively blocked changes in policy and access to markets for alternative technologies.

As to the rest of your question: we have a growing solar and wind power industry--both are commercially competitive. Nuclear is an option that merits careful study. Coal is not a viable long term option--it is not carbon-neutral (its worse than oil, in fact). Ethanol is viable--but the problem is scale: how much farmland can we shift to this, along with all the fertilizer, etc, before the ecological impact outweighs the value. Besides, ethanol is not cheap.

How Much Does It Cost Annually to live in Rincon, Puerto Rico?

jtmasters

We have fallen in love with Rincon. Could some adults give me an idea of the total annual cost of living for 2 adults who want to live NEAR but not necessarily On the beach, have one car, and a relaxed lifestyle that would include air-conditioning if over 85 degrees? Please, no commercial posters respond to this posting.

Answer
Well...price will vary on te beach or near the beach. If your planning to stay all year long, look outside the places posted on the internet for guesthouses, vacation rentals.. It also depends what season your coming down since a fixed price per month will change. Example, there are a couple places going for $400-500 month away from beach, not incl cable water elect.. If you want to be closer to the beach expect to pay 2-3x more per month, if long term and renting from homeowner, not a rental property for vacation. *BUT the best search is to come down here, and drive around since most of these places do not advertise on the net.

Electric is very..very expensive, almost double, maybe even triple is some cases compared to some of the states in USA. Cars, another one, very expensive, since we have to import them down here, there is a tax on them that makes them expensive, and almost stays with the car. New or used your choice, but expensive. There is no such thing as a train station car down here that is $500, they almost all start in $1k+ mark, and they will all tell you low miles, down here that means, anywhere from 80-150 thousand miles.. I dont get it also, I seen a car that is a 2001, and has 132k miles and they still want $5ooo dollors for it.. and was beat up..It looked like heck.. kid ya not. The only thing that is good is that a used car the insurance in just under $200 year.. but that only covers up to $3k of damages, but there are places for extra coverage.

AC, I lived here for 9 years, and only used the AC a couple times, but I do live with fans, and a couple cold showers a day..

Now, your relaxed life style, either eating out, or stay at home and cook.. Food at the Econo or Selectos, Pueblo, prices are high, also.. its another import thing, expensive, but you have to do your shopping wisely, places offer different things at diff prices, like in the states. Local pinchos, bars, are always the cheapest with very tasty food.Restaurants, are expensive, especially in touristy places, and well from my experience, food is not worth the price.

AND to close this article, didnt know if your going to be buying a house, condo etc.. but, everything is negotiable,didntt be fooled and walk away, if the deal is too good, on buying a house make sure there is a title, and a clean one at that.

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How Much Does It Cost Annually to live in Rincon, Puerto Rico?

kids electric cars cheap image

jtmasters

We have fallen in love with Rincon. Could some adults give me an idea of the total annual cost of living for 2 adults who want to live NEAR but not necessarily On the beach, have one car, and a relaxed lifestyle that would include air-conditioning if over 85 degrees? Please, no commercial posters respond to this posting.

Answer
Well...price will vary on te beach or near the beach. If your planning to stay all year long, look outside the places posted on the internet for guesthouses, vacation rentals.. It also depends what season your coming down since a fixed price per month will change. Example, there are a couple places going for $400-500 month away from beach, not incl cable water elect.. If you want to be closer to the beach expect to pay 2-3x more per month, if long term and renting from homeowner, not a rental property for vacation. *BUT the best search is to come down here, and drive around since most of these places do not advertise on the net.

Electric is very..very expensive, almost double, maybe even triple is some cases compared to some of the states in USA. Cars, another one, very expensive, since we have to import them down here, there is a tax on them that makes them expensive, and almost stays with the car. New or used your choice, but expensive. There is no such thing as a train station car down here that is $500, they almost all start in $1k+ mark, and they will all tell you low miles, down here that means, anywhere from 80-150 thousand miles.. I dont get it also, I seen a car that is a 2001, and has 132k miles and they still want $5ooo dollors for it.. and was beat up..It looked like heck.. kid ya not. The only thing that is good is that a used car the insurance in just under $200 year.. but that only covers up to $3k of damages, but there are places for extra coverage.

AC, I lived here for 9 years, and only used the AC a couple times, but I do live with fans, and a couple cold showers a day..

Now, your relaxed life style, either eating out, or stay at home and cook.. Food at the Econo or Selectos, Pueblo, prices are high, also.. its another import thing, expensive, but you have to do your shopping wisely, places offer different things at diff prices, like in the states. Local pinchos, bars, are always the cheapest with very tasty food.Restaurants, are expensive, especially in touristy places, and well from my experience, food is not worth the price.

AND to close this article, didnt know if your going to be buying a house, condo etc.. but, everything is negotiable,didntt be fooled and walk away, if the deal is too good, on buying a house make sure there is a title, and a clean one at that.

How much do I need to make to own a Tesla Model S?

Austin

I've been trying to determine how much I need to make to own a Tesla Model S and have money for other things.

I'm a senior in college, i'm a single man, and will probably be for a while. No gf, no kids, no trouble.

I understand I can't do it now, but when I find a job, what's a reasonable salary to own one?

They cost anywhere from $580-$800/month.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
expect to be earning around 150k per year with no debt to be able to comfortably and intelligently afford one.
they say that a car should never ecer be worth more than half of a years salary. with the tesla model S going up for around 70,000 (the basic one with little options and government rebates) around 150k a year means that you will be spending close to but not more than half your salary on the car. sure you can always finance it. but you will still be paying quite a lot more with interest.

you must realize that the tesla model s is not an entry level car. it competes with the BMW 5 series while providing new technology. early adoption is never cheap and with the added cost of the luxury in the tesla, its not a car for everyone.
I love the model S but honestly i want tesla to make cheaper cars for more people. (when tesla makes an electric to compete with a honda civic i'll buy it right away)

edit. you may want to check out this website
http://www.teslamotors.com/true-cost-of-ownership

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